Wild party like it's the 1700s. Full review of the masquerade ball at the place of Versailles is up on my account. Cheers read more

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Our day at the Palace of Versailles was one of the highlights of our trip to France. Despite the intense summer heat, it was an unforgettable experience. The sheer opulence of the palace is almost impossible to describe. Every room is more breathtaking than the last, and learning about the history and significance of Versailles made the visit even more inspiring. Standing in a place where so much history unfolded was truly awe-inspiring. We booked a private tour that included transportation to and from our hotel, making the day completely stress-free. Our guide was knowledgeable and shared fascinating stories and historical details that brought the palace to life. After touring the palace, we rented a golf cart to explore the grounds. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, it was the perfect way to experience the magnificent gardens without having to walk for miles in the heat. The gardens are stunning and deserve just as much time as the palace itself. If you're visiting Paris, I highly recommend setting aside a full day for Versailles. Between the incredible history, spectacular architecture, and beautifully landscaped grounds, it's an experience you won't soon forget. read more

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A must visit. Make sure you buy your tickets ONLY from their website. Quality/Quantity - Glad my wife made a last second decision to go to Versailles, France for this field trip from Paris. Worth the bus and train rides... Thank you Google Maps for a smooth transition. Huge palace! Both indoors and outdoors. Please see all my pictures, well at least the ones that got uploaded. It will still NOT do it justice, you just need to go. Ambiance - See above and my pictures. Many rentals - Boats, bikes, golf carts, etc. Service - Self service. Price - 35 Euros per person; I felt very reasonable. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success. read more

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We had a 1:40pm tour Yes, BREATHTAKING rooms But ya'll I could not with the crowds and feel like I was being herded like sheep from room to room along with other tours. At times it seemed dangerous. Perhaps get the earliest tour you can book. read more

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The Palace is truly remarkable! Everyone should try to visit this amazing place at least once in their lifetime! read more

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The Palace of Versailles is pure extravagance. From the moment you approach the golden gates and see the enormous garden grounds, you feel the legacy of royalty. The rooms inside are breathtaking and the Hall of Mirrors with its endless reflections and crystal chandeliers is beyond. The King and Queen's chambers are filled with art, tapestries, and delicate furniture. It's easy to get lost in the details while imagining life in this palace centuries ago. The gardens are packed with manicured lawns, fountains, pathways as far as the eye can see. Walking through them feels like stepping into a painting. Versailles is the best palace I've been to date and is a perfect mix of history, art, and nature that imprints. Visiting Versailles is just a short trip from Paris and it's an experience that stays with you long after. read more

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Must come and see this while in Paris Pictures or videos just don't explain how big and beautiful everything is We came here on a day where it was cloudy, sunny, then hailing, and it was still so beautiful. It was definitely cold but we really didn't care. We did get the golf cart for the garden and it was well worth the $50 euro. read more

Beautiful palace, I recommend getting the 9a time slot & arriving 30min earlier to line up so you can get through security & take photos before the crowds. My favorite room was the hall of mirrors. The passport includes The Palace, Estate of Trianon & the Musical Gardens. Most people spend all their time in the main palace but I actually enjoyed Estate of Trianon more (smaller palaces in the back). My favorite section was the Queens Hamlet, a village built for Marie Antoinette. There's a farm with animals, a mill, and other cute buildings with thatched roofs around a lake. I recommend paying 9euros for the little train, which is a hop on/off & takes you from the main palace to Estate of Trianon (30-45min walk one-way) and back. We were blessed to see cherry blossoms & tulips in full bloom. read more

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This palace is the epitome of bougie, overhyped, but also fabulous all at the same time. The Palace of Versailles is an easy day trip from city-center Paris and is worth a visit. You need to purchase tickets in advance and I highly recommend selecting the one that combines with the garden itself, as I found that to be more worthwhile than the palace itself. Going back to the palace, you'll be following crowds through a series of rooms which were built and decorated lavishly. The portraits are stunning, the colors and designs are grand, and the insane number of people you'll be witnessing these marvels with are not to be ignored. The Hall of Mirrors is a fun room and probably the most picturesque. You'll see tons of people pulling out their phones for this and why not? The illusion of floating chandeliers makes this feel like a fairytale. It's important to also consider who were the people forced into building this extravagant palace in the first place. Facts are facts. read more

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Beautiful Palace it's a great place where you can see and enjoy all the sights they have paint, sculptures and gardens they have different times for coming also they have a beautiful view around the Palace also they have a store for things to take home also have a restaurant inside the Palace. They also have a building that sell coffee, ice cream and more stuff. read more

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Le Chateau de Versailles or the Palace of Versailles is a historic landmark in the history of France. I was extra excited to come here because back in the olden days I did my Honors World History summer assignment on Louis the XVI. I purchased tickets (21€/person) about 2 months ahead of time for my boyfriend and I to visit the Versailles on our Paris trip. This was only for the museum and did not include the gardens or other areas. We didn't want to burn our whole day of travel here but it ended up being a blessing because it was raining and we would not have fully enjoyed the garden. Also one important thing to note, I strategically booked an early hour entrance on a weekday to avoid crazy crowds. We actually arrived at a time where it was busy but still comfortable to get around. It got worse and worse throughout the day. Coming in from Paris, it was about an hour by train for me, taking the RER C to the Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche exit and then a quick bus ride on the EX01 from the station to the palace. Historical Facts: Louis XIII created this area to be a hunting lodge. Louis XIV converted the hunting lodge into a palace, and not just any palace, the most magnificent and lavished palace in all of Europe. Louis XV modernized and refined the palace, adding elements of comfort and elegance. Louis XVI expanded the Petit Trianon estate for Marie Antoinette. Napoleon used it for state functions. He preferred the Tuileries in Paris and lacked capital funding to restore it. As a visitor I was in awe of the grandeur as I approached. There is a security check point at the entrance. The way the Versailles is set up, it is a one way track and you can follow the path to ensure you see everything at the palace. The tour goes into the history of the Versailles. There was also a lot of repetitive paintings of the multiple King Louis and they all look similar after seeing so many of them. I have slight art fatigue after visiting many museums during my travels but I still highly recommend Versailles. The Hall of Mirrors was such a vision. Everything from the art to the ceiling to the décor was an magnificent work of art. It's pretty crazy to think how grandeur this palace was for a time where there was so much poor and starving citizens. No wonder there was a revolution. I enjoyed my visit to Versailles and I recommend 1.5-2 hours for just the main palace alone. You may need more time if you plan on visiting the gardens and the Trianan Estates as a part of your visit. read more

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We spent about a day and a half exploring Versailles and absolutely loved it. Here are a few tips that might make your visit smoother: The Passport ticket is the best value since it gives you access to everything -- the main palace, gardens, and both the Grand and Petit Trianon. I had originally bought tickets just for the Trianons, but discovered you also need Musical Gardens tickets to walk through the gardens to get there. Otherwise, you'd have to walk all the way around the perimeter and hope to find an open gate. Get an audio guide or download one on your phone since the signs are in French. The guided tours start around 9:30 a.m. -- just check the language. I mistakenly booked the Private Apartments tour in French but used the Google Translate app to follow along (it worked surprisingly well, though it uses a lot of data). The tour meets in the Ministers' Building to the right of the main entrance, up the stairs. After our tour, the audio guide line was over 30 minutes long, so get it first thing in the morning. Later in the day, around 4 p.m., the crowds thinned out and there was no line. If you have limited time, start with the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon. They're smaller, more personal, and give you a sense of royal life away from the main palace. The Grand Trianon was the king's retreat; the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's, is charmingly modest. It's about a 30-45 minute walk through the gardens, or you can take the tram for a small fee. The gardens are enormous -- we walked about 6 to 9 miles. You'll see manicured trees, fountains, statues, and even a lake with boats. On certain days, the Musical Gardens feature classical music playing from hidden speakers, adding a lovely atmosphere. Bring a hat and water. There are some restaurants and a bathroom, but there can be a very long line. If possible, take a guided tour -- it gives you access to areas not open to general visitors, like the King's private study, reception rooms, and the beautiful royal chapel (where general admission visitors can only peek in from the doorway). Plan for a lot of walking and wear comfortable shoes. There are golf carts you can rent by the hour to cover more of the garden than by foot. Versailles is vast, breathtaking, and full of history -- an unforgettable experience well worth taking the time to explore fully. read more

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We took a bus from Paris to Versailles that included a short guided tour and entrances to the apartments & gardens. We arrived at 9:30, and already the place was swarming with visitors. Our guide got us in to the building quickly, so we did not have to wait in the line. Plus plus! The building(s) are cavernous and most of the hundreds of rooms are inaccessible due to restoration or safety reasons. We saw the king's public apartment, the queen's apartment, the hall of battles, the hall of mirrors and the chapel. There were so many dark and depressing paintings in the hall of battles. We also saw some of Napoleon's apartment as well. This place is huge, garish, and ornate, and as expected. Walking through the rooms was primarily like being in a sea of people or a cattle herd, wherever you turned, someone was in front of you or taking a photo, so the experience felt mostly like an assembly line and a money grab on the part of Versailles mgmt. I was relieved to go outside and see the gardens. After waiting in line and being ushered in, I was met with a sea of sand. I would have loved to see some flowers or flowering trees! The gardens are HUGE (2,000 plus acres) and many people choose to rent a golf cart or ride on the petite train to get a feel for the property. It was quite hot today, so we rode the train (9 euros) around on its 40 minute loop. It was a bit bumpy but better than walking in the heat which would have taken us quite awhile. We did not get out to see Le grand Trianon or at any of the other stops. I mostly just saw trees and pathways. I did not see any flowers or interesting plants during the entire loop. Besides the scale of the property, nothing was particularly noteworthy that I could see. There are sculptures here and there. I'm sure there's more to it, but this is from my perspective today after spending almost five hours on the property. So my thoughts are that it is worth it to see the spectacle that is Versailles, but unless you really enjoy learning about these monarchs and their desire for money and power, I'd say one visit is enough. It may even be enough for you to come to Versailles, take photos from the outside and then spend the money that you would have spent on overpriced tickets to have a pleasant lunch in the quaint town. P.S. Poor Louis XIV wore wigs from a young age because he went prematurely bald, and he suffered from extreme dental issues so by age 40, he had lost all of his teeth and had to survive on a liquid diet. Ah to be a king! Peace. read more

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Palace of Versailles is breathtaking, an incredible place to see. We purchased the front of the line guided tour, which was well worth it. We jumped in front of the many lines and really learned a lot about the history and living conditions of the palace courtesans. I recommend booking tickets in advance. We used uber to arrive at our tour start point and then took the short train ride back to the Eiffel Tower station after our visit. The grounds are vast and gorgeous. We rented a golf cart by the hour to navigate the site, most appreciated following the tour. There is a chapel that we had access to from the guided tour, beautiful and special. Definitely a highlight and not to be missed on your Paris trip. The souvenir shop was lacklustre- they have a couple of places to grab a coffee/snack (for example Angelina's) in the main palace and in the gardens. There are boats you can rent in the canal area and fireworks some evenings if you stay all day. read more

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The most beautiful and impressive castle in the world. I've seen some of the ones in Russia and this is the best. I can only imagine how great it looks in the spring when the gardens are in full bloom. What can I say? It's the best there is...... We went to see Versailles in our first full day in Paris. We did a tour from GET YOUR GUIDE and had the best time. The tour guide was incredible and really enhanced what really didn't need to be enhanced. We got to see the Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. This made my son, the History buff's, week. We were taken to many of the important rooms and enjoyed stories about each one. We stayed about 3 1/2 hours. We packed a lot of stuff into a couple of days. If you have time you can easily make a day off it. The Palace of Versailles is everything you think it is and more. If you are in Paris this is one of the tip 3 things you need to see. Book a tour with SKIP THE LINE or you will be standing in the courtyard for a very long time. Highly recommend! read more

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We hopped off an early morning 12 minute train ride from Paris to Versailles, as we were doing a bike tour of King Louis the 14ths crib. We stood there in the comfort of the train station, looking out as water fell from the sky and absolutely POUNDED the mean streets of Versailles. "They gotta have a bus option, no way we are going to ride bikes in this..." Sure enough, when we met our group of 10 other tourists and a guide, they had the bikes lined up and handed us a poncho. We probably should have just not gone, but we were the youngest, the most physically able, and the only Americans in the group. I couldn't help but think about National pride. You think we were going to give Americans a bad name to these 8 other tourists? No shot. I'd give my life before I give Europeans another reason to trash us. We rode 30 minutes to Louis' crib battling the pouring rain, a vicious wind, crazy French drivers, other bikes, and pedestrians. Ponchos were completely futile. We were fighting for our damn lives. But once you accepted your fate, it was actually kind of fun. It felt like playing a game of touch football in the pouring rain with your homies, really brought me back to my childhood. We showed up soaking wet, my girlfriend's mascara dripping down her face, and made it to the comfort of the gold encrusted palace. Louis XIV spent $2-3 Billion in today's dollars on this. BILLION, with a B. DAMN LOUIS! This is really an all time flex. I can't think of a bigger "Lemme just flex real quick..." but they did start a revolution over this kind of stuff. Careful, Icarus... I'll save you the novel of everything I find interesting about the Palace of Versailles and the French Revolution, but history is so fascinating to me. Especially when you can actually be in it and touch it like this. Seeing the world and learning about the human beings that came before me is one of my favorite things to do in this life. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo read more

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It was such a beautiful experience, but it was super busy and crowded. Each room was very interesting - but eventually everything started to look the same. Expect huge crowds. Get ready to get your steps in - be sure to bring comfortable shoes! read more

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On a Thursday afternoon, the main palace was crowded but not unbearably so. It just meant I would be spending more time using my iPhone Clean Up tool to get the crowds out of my photos. I guess AI is good for something. I scheduled a full day bus tour for Jamie W and me to visit Monet's gardens in Giverny in the morning and tour Versailles in the afternoon. It was a bit ambitious, but a half-day was all we needed here since we aren't French history buffs anyway. Like all the lemming tourists, we were led through the gate to the main palace where we could view the imposing Royal Chapel (Photo 4). Then we moved slowly through the often garish Grand Apartments like cattle through a paddock. It was a series of seven rooms that reflected the lavish 17th-century lifestyle of the royals. They didn't have bathrooms back then, so I kept wondering how foul the stench was before Air Wicks were invented. The high point came with the walkthrough through the fabled Hall of Mirrors (Photo 17). This was the Instagram moment of the tour, and here's where the Clean Up tool came in handy...sometimes (Photo 5). A portrait of Marie Antoinette and her children hangs in the Queen's Apartment (Photo 8). After exiting the palace, we were given 90 minutes of free time to roam the expansive gardens. It was too hot and humid to walk the full grounds. Nevertheless, we managed to walk to the Bassin d'Apollon where a golden Apollo rises with a four-horse chariot (Photo 7). We grabbed a bite in one of the two outdoor cafes in the gardens. The 13,00€ Chicken Caesar Salad was on the meh side (Photo 23), but life at the chateau can't always be a bed of roses. So is a visit to Versailles for everyone? Probably not, especially if you feel anxious around crowds. Check it off your list because it is truly unique. RELATED - Exploring Paris? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/TDhdgjoONI read more

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We started off our visit with a private tour of Louis XV and Louis XVI's private rooms. The tour lasted an hour and also included entrance to Chapelle Royale de Versailles. All was absolutely stunning. Our tour guide was exceptional, but our group kept being rushed by the rude tour guide behind us which was quite irritating. We were then released to roam through the many rooms of Versailles along with the general crowd. The lines in the morning were long for the general entrance as there are security and bag checks. By the early afternoon, there were no lines. Traversing through the rooms can take some time, so I would suggest mapping out your must sees before visiting or you may find yourself lost and time slipping away, and there are still the gardens and other sites to see. The gardens are free so you may want to return the following day just to check them out. The Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon (which also includes the Queens Hamlet) at the end of the gardens do have a fee for entrance and at least a few hours are recommened to see those. They are well worth it. read more

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I've probably been to Versailles 10-12 times and never grow tired of it Sure there are political and historical lessons to be learned ...perhaps no one listens There are aesthetic lessons which surely everyone can appreciate But mostly I marvel at the sheer skill, force, and brilliance it took to create this homage to Louis XIV the sun god I love mostly shopping the village for a 10€ Bordeaux, cheeses, pates, bread etc and taking friends and family to experience it If you have not gone take the train out C lline 35 minutes and go back250 years in time read more

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It's Versailles. What can you say other than it is the most extravagant luxurious disgusting display of wealth outside of the Vatican. It was a full half day experience if you quickly go through the entire palace and the immediate Gardens. The gardens themselves you could spend another half day exploring but we chose not to. The history and luxury observed in this palace is typical of the baroque era and standing in a piece of history where the Kings of France actually lived and slept was a pretty somber experience. We had to take a metro to a special train to get to Versailles but it was not that difficult with the Citymapper app. read more

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This place is massive! I bought the passport for our family and I'm glad I did because it was easy and quick to get into the other places with it (the gardens, grand & petit Trianon) easily accessible. We did ultimately hit all of the places, even the Queen's Hamlet and spent basically all day on the grounds here, however, we still didn't finish. This is one of those places where you should probably spend a couple of days (probably 2 at least) in order to thoroughly see everything. We came here a week ago, the first week of August, so construction was going on with the RER C line so we had to take an alternative route (a longer route). While on the train, I saw tour groups (those third parties that bring you from the city of Paris... if you look them up, they can be quite costly). It's a bit of a walk from the train station but it's all part of the journey. We spent most of our time at the Chateau. It seemed like the later it became, the more people there were. We did the King's Private Apartments tour, and I am so glad we did because we saw rooms that weren't readily available to the public (while small) but nice to be able to see. The tour itself is 1.5 hours long, and they were pretty strict doing head count again and again especially in the beginning to make sure that everyone was in the correct group. Overall it was an intimate setting, somewhat a lot of walking and going up small steps of stairs (to the Royal Chapel). I highly recommend. We had a quick lunch at Angelina, which is located inside the palace. We all ordered the lunch combo, which came with a drink, a sandwich, and a dessert and it seemed like the perfect meal to recharge and move on with our way without spending too much time. While we never finished the Chateau, most people used audio guides or, I recommend following along on their free app which provides a free audio guide in itself of the rooms, maps, the hours. We rented the golf cart for 2 hours (still didn't finish touring) but definitely saved a lot of walking! There is so much to do on the grounds, canoeing, picnic, bicycle rides. Looking forward to my revisit in the future! read more

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I mean how do you rate a historical monument or location. It's a little hard no? Well this place was pretty well maintained. The palace was beautiful and had a nice amount of stuff on display. I like how many spots had descriptors so you knew what you were there admiring at the time, as opposed to randomly guessing as you walk through the room. It was winter at the time so maybe that's why it seemed a little dead outside in the yard area. It was a bit disappointing to see that all of the fountains were closed as well. read more

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An amazing experience at Versailles. It is absolutely worth it and better if you plan ahead how you want to spend the day here. There's two lines at the entrance, one for buying tickets and one for those with tickets already. You still have to wait a while to get in with tickets. Once inside, the palace itself is the most crowded part. You follow the flow and basically walk through all the amazing rooms. However, we couldn't really enjoy it with how crowded and overwhelming it was. The best part are the outdoor gardens. We opted to rent a golf cart which was a great idea. You have to wait a while to get them as others return theirs but it's so worth it. You can drive through designated areas to see everything without walking. We paid about 100 Euros for 2 or so hours. It's definitely less crowded the further you go. The Petit and Grand Trianon were awesome. The Queen's hamlet was also worth walking to as the cart can't drive there. They have some restaurants and cafes inside but food is exactly what you'd expect. Better off eating a big breakfast and bringing some in. It's pretty convenient to get to off the train from Paris and back so definitely a must see if you have a few days in Paris. read more

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The palace, grounds and gardens were worth the hour (train + walk) from Paris. Five starts for that even though... They are not managing the amount of visitors very well. The inside palace tour was packed (shoulder to shoulder) on a really hot day. No air-conditioning and lot's of groups with overbooked times. Long bathroom lines everywhere. The staff seemed fed up with the global visitors not being respectful. read more

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This was a great pit stop before dinner. The line to get in was way too long and they no longer had tickets. It was nice to be able to walk around the outside of the building and see the garden in the back! read more

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So much history, breathtaking views everywhere you turned we were rushed otherwise you could spend the whole day here. This place is beautiful and definitely one for the books if you visit France a must try!! read more

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Gorgeous palace inside and out. The ceilings are incredibly ornate and the grounds are both huge and well kept. Would recommend trying to go off peak or on a weekday so there are less crowds. read more

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Purchase my timed Palace of Versailles ticket online for 32 euros which included the outdoor garden. After arriving by the RER C at St Michel Notre Dame train from Paris 5 euros round trip to the Versailles Château-Rive Gauche stop, it was just a short walk to Versailles. I rented a bike first and cycled the park for two hours, turned the bike back in and walked over for my 2pm entrance. I roamed the amazing chateau and most of the opulent rooms for a couple hours and art then went outside to the magnificent gardens. Although a bit crowded with many tour companies, it was still worth seeing how royalty lived. read more

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We did a CityWonders tour of the Palace and grounds and we were so glad we did. What an incredible place. We took the train and didn't have too far of a walk to the palace. Our tour guide was fantastic, but since this is a review of the palace itself all I can say is please go see it and find a good tour! We got to see so many parts of the palace as well as the beautiful grounds and gardens. Make sure to save time to see the grounds and gardens which are a wonder on their own. The opulence is mind blowing and so much history. A must see if you haven't visited before! read more

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Absolutely exquisite historical experience! See the room Napoleon was coronated in, Marie Antoinette's villa, the luscious and maintained grounds that stretch for miles, maybe even rent a bike to see it all. Really, the day is yours to revel in all of it. Even then, there will still be more to discover another day! read more

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It's blazing hot today and the experience could be tolerable if they would sell some cool bottled water from ice chests or something as you walk around. The hospitals are overrun with people suffering from the heat so why not be prepared and make things a little easier? read more

the palace was nice but super busy and beyond that there isn't too much to see. a ton of walking as well

While my wife, my son and my mother-in-law were enjoying their time at Disneyland, I took half a day to visit the magnificent Schloss Versailles near Paris -- and it was a dream come true for me. The palace is pure grandeur. The architecture, the gardens, and especially the Hall of Mirrors are absolutely impressive. You can truly feel the history and royal power in every room. One day, I will definitely come back to see this magnificent palace again. read more

We used our Metro pass, not the RER train to get to the palace of Versailles. On the walk from the train station we passed through a very nice farmers market. We got to the palace very early before the long lines appeared. We purchased our tickets in advance and quickly made through. I got some audio tour devices, which I explained a lot very nice place you have Louis XIV! You can imagine how much money it took to keep this place operational to the garden got a golf cart to explore the area. It was very nice. read more

Palace of Versailles - Carts to see the garden - Museums Near Me - Versailles, 78

Versailles is a MUST when you visit Paris. It's stunning! We stayed near The Louvre and it was about 40 minutes train ride on the Metro. Tip: Make sure you buy the correct train ticket as the fare is determine by stops/distance. Keep your ticket/pass because you need it to exit the train station. We saw some people couldn't leave the station because wrong fare. Reserve ticket and entry time slot in advance and as early as possible. The 9am (earliest) gets sold out quickly. We purchased museum pass but you still need to reserve the entry time. Go straight to the mirror room first to get the Instagram worthy picture...lol It's a loop that you can revisit what you have missed at the beginning. I like the rooms with the furniture. To visit the garden, it's a separate ticket that's not included in the museum Pass. Bring your driver's license to rent the golf cart for $42 euros. It's worth it but you can't go further to the Marie Antoniette estate. There is a separate train that goes out there for $5 euro. We spent about half a day here and had lunch in the garden. It was lovely. read more

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The Palace of Versailles is massive! This is an extremely popular attraction in Paris so it's highly recommended to book your tickets early. You can easily book it on their official site. Keep in mind you have about 30 minutes from your entry time to enter. They are very strict about their rules and policies. The entry process is simple after your tickets are scanned. They do have an x-ray machine for bags and you go through a metal detector (I'm assuming that's what it was). A lot of people want to get videos or photos with no people or less people in the famous Hall of Mirrors. If you want to do that, make sure to get a 9am entry time and be there to line up 30-60 minutes before the entry time. Plan the route it takes to get there versus following the designated route to get there and you can be one of the first people there for the day. That's a lot of work so we just went with a 10am entry time. Earlier entry times have less people as a heads up and it might make your visit a little more enjoyable. We enjoyed strolling through the rooms but it's super busy and packed. There are lots of tour groups and it's very hard to get a photo without someone in the background. Some opportunities will present itself but you're there to learn and enjoy the palace, not for the gram...well for most people that is. The Jardin would have been nice to check out but it was raining and almost no flowers were in bloom. Keep that in mind as warmer months will probably be more beautiful in the Jardin. This spot is totally worth visiting at least once if you're in Paris. read more

Palace of Versailles - Hall of Mirrors - Museums Near Me - Versailles, 78

While everyone's life trajectory varies widely, for some there comes a juncture along that journey when the viability of a second home becomes a point of conversation. Apparently Louis XIV reached this crossroad and decided to transform his father's hunting pavilion into the Palace of Versailles. Not likely a "fixer upper" at any point in its history, it has gone through many iterations as various inhabitants sought to embellish it further until the French Revolution. If you've been longing for a taste of how the Palace appeared when it was inhabited, then prepare that intellectual palette to be satisfied! While you won't be permitted to tour all of its 2,300 rooms, you will be able to sample enough of them to get the flavor. The Palace lies about 12 miles outside of Paris, and our ride on the Reseau Express Regional (RER) train was approximately 40 minutes (followed by about a 20 minute walk from the train station). Upon arrival you'll discover that the entrance protocols are quite rigid and visitors can only gain access on the hour and half hour (even with tickets purchased in advance). The security process is lengthy, so be prepared to stand outside awaiting your turn to enter. Although an audio guide is available for a minimal cost, we found that the version provided through their free app was excellent (so remember to bring your headphones). While there is a tremendous collection of great artwork to admire, it was the presentation of the great rooms that were most impressive to me. The "Hall of Mirrors" and the ceiling in the "Hercules Room" were my favorites. A visit here would be woefully incomplete if it failed to include a tour of the grounds (which span 2,000 acres) and no reservation or entrance fee are required to access this portion of the Palace. I would estimate that roughly half of our 5 hour visit was spent meandering these grounds listening intently for the echoed laughter of royal children of the past engaged in the longest game of "Hide and Seek" in French history. Even if your visit to Paris is limited in duration, the Palace needs to make your "short list." And that's...Henry's Take. #versailles read more

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I had no idea how massive the palace was until I arrived. Check-in was quick and I highly recommend the audio to go along with the tour; it will save you a lot of time. Everything is on such a grand scale it's hard to believe people actually lived here. There is lots of history and beauty everywhere! read more

It's only 15 miles out but all the traffic takes you close to an hour but it was well worth it. Such a historic and glorious place to visit. So much royalty lived here or next door. Louis XIII, Louis 14th and Marie Antoinette. Napoleon was a here a lot but he lived next door. Lots of art. FYI the famous Napoleon crowning Josephine is a replica. The original is at the Louvre. The garden leaves u in awe. If I had known how big it was and if we had more time I would have rented a golf cart (tip for you travelers) read more

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